HAPPY NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM CQBITX

Wishing    all     Radio Amateurs     World Wide 
  Happy New New Year 2010.

BITX 20 Case For Future

Our Friend Greg  OH2FFY   has sent me an email with suggestions for the Bitx Case, I would like to share some of his suggestions.

  SUGGESTIONS FOR CASE  BY   GregW:-)   OH2FFY

Hi ...

The Bitx20 needs to mature and come from an experimental workbench rig and become a REAL rig in every way.

One let down for many custom builders is the lack of quality enclosures for their projects.

You CAN get some nice boxes if you hunt them down , but they are expensive.

There really is no viable cheap option of enclosures that don't look like nasty tin lunch boxes.

So many make their own boxes from PCB material (which isn't cheap) or bend up some monster in their garage from metal. (ugly)

My suggestion is to make a new line of enclosures , not only for the Bitx20 kit , but for radio/electronic experimenter community as a whole.

If done locally (India) I expect that the costs could be quite low.

Also I have some further ideas as to how to make it cheaper and flexible in design.

So my Bitx20 case design competition entry is ALSO (I think) a viable product on its own. !!!!! :-)

First off I envision a new case design and as I had said , flexible by nature.

That is , the design of the enclosure needs not limit you to one constructed shape as most boxes do.

SEE PICTURE. (case1.jpg)

This is what I have in mind ,, but larger.

Simple press bent alluminium form upper and lower shells , and other pieces make up front and rear panels.

To save money don't do any drilling........

While saving money it actually works out to be one of its best features because it allows the constructor to place the front fascia panel inward if you want recessed knobs. (i like recessed)

ALSO ..and not many think of this ,,,,, it also allows you to recess inward the back panel as well.

This means that PA heatsinks and antenna connectors can be semi enclosed which looks a lot neater and quite classy.

I don't recommend drilling vent holes in the top and bottom shell covers.

This will also save you money , but also not everyone wants or needs vents. (Too much venting may cause VFOs to drift)

If the constructor needs vents, let them drill them in the place and size that they want.

If made from alluminium the plastic protector sheet can be left intact.

Not taking it off also saves money  :-) (less labour time) , and also it protects it from scratches in transit and construction.

Another material that could be considered is stainless steel.

Stainless top and bottom shell covers with alloy front and rear plates could be a good option.

Alloy front plates are recommended as it is easier to drill through compared to stainless steel.

I wouldn't use normal steel as it requires painting or powder coating , and this adds more expense and then of course steel is heavier to ship and painted surfaces could get scratched in transit....

Oh and on the subject of alluminium , I wouldn't use thin sheeting.

I would recommend at least 1.5 to 2mm thick.

It will give the appearance of a more solid enclosure when in use also your corner bends will have a more pleasing rounded appearance with thicker material.

Another product that could be sold to match the cases are polished or painted fascias ,, even colored acrylic sheet could be used as a fascia , but this would be added over the top of an existing alloy front panel.

The possibilities are endless.

All of these parts could be sold separately as well.

I envision seeing a range of 3 or 4 different size box units., and as I said , if done at a good price it can be a good product on its own.

If the tight corner bends are deemed not appealing to the eye then curved cases could be made.

This however would require stamping of the front and rear panels and rolling the top and bottom covers which would be considerably more costly --- but not impossible.....

SEE PICTURE. (case2.jpg)

I would not offer feet , handles or stands ,, but of course that too is possible.

Enclosed is a graphic of what I think a new BITX20 could look like.......

SEE PICTURE. (oh2ffy.jpg)

With a slightly recessed front fascia it would look Clean - minimalistic - uncluttered and soild with just a hint of Elecraft , that would be a hit with QRPers.

Regards

THANKS GREG  FOR SUCH GOOD IDEAS AND THE PIC FOR FUTURE BITX 20

Feedback By Radio Amateurs World Wide for Bitx Version 3 Kit

It has been a long time since I updated this blog,the reason being for new orders for Bitx Kits and other Kits.
The Bitx has reached many countries now. The usual countries are USA, and most parts of Europe.
The latest are a few Asian countries Thailand , Viet Nam Nepal and Argentina in South America.

It is really great to see the interest sustained in Bitx Version 3 and as new Hams build  it, then more get the desire to try it out.

This year the aim will be to get the modules for available for Bitx to be used as a multiband with CW and other modes, and a new case with kind suggestion from friends.

I have received some feedback which I  would like to share, as to show the quality of service and packing of kits from my end.

FEEDBACK

The kit has just arrived. Your packaging is amazing - my compliments.

 Many thanks, and 73.
 Toni
G6XMO
 Sheffield
UK


 
FEEDBACK
 Sunil,

I wanted to let you know the case arrived ok. Everything ok in the
package. Thank you again for your great products and service.

I look forward to ordering again with you.

73

Steven C. Hollifield KG4VIA
FEEDBACK

Father Christmas is spent in advance! Yesterday the package arrived sooner than I thought. I placed an order with Sunil VU3SUA December 4, but he warned me that the expedition soon as he had many orders. On 17 December he informed me that the package is gone. On December 23 it happens at home (and my wife hides the warm ...). Another surprise: no tax to pay although the Vietnamese Customs have opened the package and a few bags of components. I'm more impressed by the quality of service. Pack very well, and packaged components clearly identified. Even the wire for straps comes! Everything to make a beautiful mount. PCB silkscreen prints and good quality.

http://capheda.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/kit-bitx-1-deballage/

This feedback is by Om Yannick from Viet Nam

FEEDBACK
A good friend of mine Marc from France had some problem in getting his Bitx ,as due to some reasons  it returned back to me. I again sent him a Bitx Ver 3  kit again which he got this time. Presented a picture Marc holding the Bitx. Great Pic.

 

Marc With His Bitx Version 3 Kit

New Case Designs

We have requested friends to suggest new case designs, but have received only random one or
two suggestions only.

Your suggestions are most welcome so that all the home brewer's may benefit from your new idea

Design a Bitx Version 3 and Bitx 20A Case And Win

I invite my Bitx  Friends to submit a design with complete details for a New Bitx Case for Bitx Version 3 and Bitx 20 A.
The best design will be awarded with a complete Bitx Version 3 Kit with the designed case by the winner.
All the best.
73's
Sunil Lakhani
VU3SUA

BITX GROUP ON FACEBOOK

A new group BITX has been created on Facebook by Om Stanley Grixti 9H1LO from
Malta.

Here is the link, if you wish to join and share about Bitx

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=162905785921

All the best

73's

Sunil Lakhani

vu3sua

Keyer,Soundcard and AGC details for Bitx Version 3

DG1NPJ Juergen Pfeifer From Germany has sent us information for the AGC, CW Keyer and Soundcard details that he has incorporated in his Bitx Version 3. Here are the details so that it would help all members in constructing these mods for the Bitx.


Contents of Email from  DG1NPJ Juergen Pfeifer From Germany

Hi Sunil,
the CW Modul i have found by Google looking for schematics of Bitx20, it works, but the Audio Output is to small, i will  fix this bug in the next days.
the AGC schematic is from the Bitx Yahoo Group, the Soundcard Interface is a old schematic, it works on all my TRX in my shack. The Pic Keyer i have found on this webpage: http://freenet-homepage.de/dl4yhf/pic_key.html
For the AGC/Keyer and CW Modul i send you a PCB Layout, not the best but for me is good.

The connect of the FLL VFO is on my Bitx  Q6 Emitter  ( no Transitor) to Condensor Basis of Q7.
It works great wenn you make the coil L1 in VFO with 50 Turns (Frequency 14.065 to 14.350 MHz )
for CW i put a Resistor with 18 K from BB204 ( D1 and D2 ) with a switch to GND ( Frequency 14.000 to 14.075 MHz )parallel to R3  82K.
The same switch i use for CW Tone or PSK (from Soundcard Interface ) on Mike Input.

The S meter, the PCB is from you, is connectet in the AGC on R12 of 12 V side, it works but its only for viewing :-)
not a real meter !!

My PCB are made only with a Laser Printer on Paper and Transfering with a hot Iron on the Copper befor etching.
Cheap and Good , Look here:  http://thomaspfeifer.net/platinen_aetzen.htm
Ist only the same Name of this People its not my brother hi hi

AGC Circuit For Bitx

Side Tone Oscillator For Bitx CW Mode

AGC And CW  Keyer Schematic  for Bitx

Hope the info is useful for friends to get the Bitx on CW and digital Modes.

The above PCB for AGC and Keyer will be ready soon and made available

73's

Sunil Lakhani

VU3SUA